
Individual Therapy for NeuroDiverse Clients
Therapy with neurodiverse clients involves understanding how each person’s unique expression of neurodiversity brings forth a set of strengths and skills to utilise within the context of addressing life challenges. Such strengths and skills can become a helpful vehicle in navigating a pathway forward that is more aligned with a person’s values, wellbeing, and sense of life purpose.
Dr Lily offers therapy for fellow ND’s that can include:
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Adjusting to confirmation of ND (post assessment 'diagnosis')
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For fostering acceptance, nurturing, and celebration of your ND self
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For treatment of psychological presentations such as stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, adjustment, and so forth using ND frameworks and complimentary strategies.
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For Autistic and ADHD burnout prevention and recovery
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For coaching (e.g. executive functioning skills and ‘work arounds’, organization of home or life admin, routine, ND ‘life hacks’)
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For further and specific psychoeducation on Autism and ADHD.
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For relationship stressors in various contexts (e.g., in workplaces, partners, friends, family)
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For aligning career goals with one’s ND identity, values, and strengths
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For general support and navigation of life as an ND individual
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For exploring and support of end of life issues such as death and dying, palliative care, and grief and loss, withinin a specific ND framework.
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For commonly related conditions such as living with connective tissue disorders, chronic health issues, and for chronic pain management psychological strategies (within the context of ND with differing pain tolerance and interoceptive experiences).
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For exploring gender and sexuality expressions
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For collaborating with partners, family, and friends of neurodivergent individuals to enhance understanding and relationships.
Therapy Approaches:
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Neuro-affirmative
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Gender affirming
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Trauma Informed Practice
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‘Best practice’
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Bio-psycho-social approach
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Integrative Psychology (incorporating elements of ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, play therapy, Solution focused therapy, Psycho ed, Mindfulness MCBT, Mindfulness based stress reduction MBSR, grief therapy).
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Creative, Expressive Therapies
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Psychoeducation grounded in contemporary ND research.
Dr Lily embraces an inclusive and affirming stance, being sex worker-friendly, creative arts-friendly, LGBTQIA-friendly, and welcoming of client’s furkids with genuine enthusiasm for getting to know them.
How do Therapy Sessions Work?
Initial Session
There are three key aspects of the initial session.
The first is to discuss the key issues that have led you to seek therapy. It is important to have an understanding of the broader aspects of your life (e.g., support network, general history, your strengths, your coping style) as well as specifics (e.g., the issue itself, or symptoms).
The second is to identify key goals that you would like to achieve by engaging in the therapeutic process. By doing this, it means that both yourself as the client and myself as the therapist are working towards the same outcomes in a collaborative, transparent manner.
The third aspect of the first session, is for you to get a sense of whether myself as a therapist is a good match for you. A good therapeutic connection is very important.
Following Sessions
Following sessions continue with getting to know you further (an ongoing process) and focus on achieving the therapeutic goals. Sessions may include therapeutic approaches such as psychoeducation, practical strategies (e.g., goal setting, executive functioning strategies, embracing individual interests for enjoyment), mindfulness, and general evidence-based practice. Each element of therapy is overarched by a value of acceptance, compassion, and of embracing each individual’s uniqueness.
It is vital that therapy is tailored to individual needs, personalities, circumstances, and current issues. Therefore, it is important that as the client, that you choose the pace and frequency of therapy, the focus, and the general direction at the beginning of the session, so that you get the most out of the process as possible.
You can change your goals at any point. During the course of therapy, you will often be given practical tools to use to help achieve your goals outside of sessions.
At the end of each session, it is encouraged that you engage in a self-care activity such as going for walk, having a tea/coffee and cake, listening to music, or even having a nap. This is because sometimes therapy can 'stir things up' and self-care will help you process thoughts and feelings in a safer, gentler manner. Active self-care is also an important part of overall general well-being.
Reviewing Progress
During the course of therapy, it is important to 'check in' and to discuss how you are experiencing therapy, the therapeutic dynamic, symptom changes, goals, and general changes. It is good to let myself as the therapist know what 'is working' and what 'might not be working' and whether there are any other aspects in your life that you would like to focus on.
Throughout the entire therapeutic process, you will always be treated with a non-judgmental approach, respect, openness, and presence.
Session Structure
Timewise, sessions are roughly divvied into three sections: the first ten minutes is to check in with you- listening to how you are, what has or hasn’t changed between sessions, reflections, disclosing any stressful or significant events between sessions. The next 30 minutes focus on the key goal or topic for the session, and the final 10 minutes focus on summarising the session, discussing ‘between session tasks’ admin, and planning for next session.
Throughout the entire therapeutic process, you will always be treated with a non-judgmental approach, respect, openness, and presence.
NeuroAffirming Practice
Dr Lily practices within a Neuro Affirming Practice model. This means that Dr Lily aims to:
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Honor all forms of communication
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Adapt systems and environments as required
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Nurture positive self-identity in a strength based manner
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Prioritise lived experience
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Reject neuronormativity
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Promote self-advocacy
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Reframe expectations
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Presume competence
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Validate and celebrate differences
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Respect autonomy and intersectionality.
